DC-area lawmakers urge US to oppose Colombia’s Amazon coca spraying plan

A group of U.S. lawmakers, including representatives from the Washington DC area, have called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to oppose Colombia’s plan to restart aerial spraying of coca crops in the Amazon. WTOP reported that the letter, led by Rep. Mark Pocan and signed by 18 other lawmakers, expressed worry about health and environmental risks associated with the spraying program.

The proposed plan would use aircraft to spray herbicides over up to 2,471 acres of coca plants in Colombia’s Putumayo region, near the Amazon. This strategy was previously suspended in 2015 due to health concerns linked to the herbicide glyphosate, which the new plan aims to replace with glufosinate ammonium, another chemical with potential health risks.

According to WTOP, the Colombian government argues that aerial spraying is a faster and safer method to eradicate coca crops in areas controlled by armed groups. However, critics, including the lawmakers, say the approach has not effectively reduced cultivation long-term and poses dangers to rural communities and the environment.

Colombia’s National Police stated that the pilot project would undergo scientific evaluation and avoid protected areas, water sources, and territories with special legal protections. The lawmakers want clarity from the U.S. government on whether it supports the program and what safeguards are in place.

The letter highlights concerns from DC-area lawmakers about the health of people in the region and the sensitive Amazon environment, urging the Trump administration to reconsider backing the aerial spraying initiative.

What we’re watching: How the U.S. State Department responds to these concerns and whether it will influence Colombia’s decision on the aerial spraying program.